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Sailing yacht in Lefkada

Sailing Yacht Charter Lefkada

The Ionian sailor's home port. Sheltered water, daily thermal wind, and the most-sailed yacht-charter base in Greece.

Last updated September 2026

Why Lefkada is the most-loved Greek sailing base

Lefkada Marina is one of the largest charter sailing bases in Greece. The reason isn't marketing, it's geography. The Ionian Sea on Lefkada's eastern side is sheltered by the mainland and by the island chain, so the water stays flat. The wind is a predictable afternoon thermal that builds late in the morning, peaks mid-afternoon and dies at sunset. Every day. Sailors call this 'fair-weather sailing': the conditions never break the routine. From Lefkada you reach Meganisi in 90 minutes (the easiest first night), Ithaca in 4 hours (Odysseus's island, the most romantic landfall), Kefalonia in 5 hours (Fiscardo for dinner), Paxos in a full day, 50 nautical miles (Loggos for the all-time Ionian village). A 7-day round-trip covers all of this and returns to Lefkada with two days to spare for re-visiting favourites. The yacht-set Ionian is older, more family, less party than the Cyclades. The thermal wind plus protected water means children, grandparents, and inexperienced sailors all manage comfortably. The Ionian is where George started chartering; it's also where he sends families who've never been on a yacht before.

Best suited for

  • Families with children under 12 (calm water plus reliable wind equals no seasickness)
  • Multi-generational groups (grandparents comfortable, kids entertained)
  • First-time sailing charterers building confidence
  • Tight 7-day windows (Lefkada reachable from Preveza airport, 30-min taxi)
  • Returning charterers who want a different Greek experience from the Cyclades

Sailing yachts based in Lefkada Marina

Lefkada-based sailing yachts for 2027

S/CAT Ad Astra

24.38 m / 80 ft · 10 guests

Per Yacht · Per Week€65,000 - €90,000 | plus expenses VAT & APA

S/CAT Serenissima III

24.38 m / 80 ft · 10 guests

Per Yacht · Per Week€65,000 - €85,000 | plus expenses VAT & APA

S/CAT Imladris

23.9 m / 78.4 ft · 8 guests

Per Yacht · Per Week€65,000 - €85,000 | plus expenses VAT & APA

S/CAT Aloia

24.38 m / 80 ft · 10 guests

Per Yacht · Per Week€65,000 - €85,000 | plus expenses VAT & APA

S/CAT Sol Madinina

24.38 m / 80 ft · 10 guests

Per Yacht · Per Week€65,000 - €85,000 | plus expenses VAT & APA

S/CAT Genny

23.87 m / 80 ft · 10 guests

Per Yacht · Per Week€56,000 - €79,000 | plus expenses VAT & APA

S/CAT Above & Beyond

23.87 m / 80ft · 8 guests

Per Yacht · Per Week€56,000 - €77,000 | plus expenses VAT & APA

S/CAT SAMELI

23.00 m / 75.6 ft · 10 guests

Per Yacht · Per Week€54,900 | plus expenses VAT & APA

See the full fleet

When to book

May through October all work in the Ionian. June and September are the sweet spots: water warm enough to swim, wind reliable, rates 15 to 25% below peak on the Greek Charter Index. July and August the thermal still blows but harbours fill; book 6 to 12 months ahead, the Index lead time for peak. The Ionian sails later into October than the Aegean: thermal lasts until mid-October most years.

George's insider notes

  • Fly into Preveza airport (PVK), not Athens. Preveza is 30 minutes from Lefkada Marina by taxi. Athens transfer adds 5 hours.
  • Lefkada Town is connected to the mainland by a floating bridge that opens hourly. Time provisioning runs accordingly.
  • The Meganisi anchorages (Spilia, Atherinos, Vathy) fill by 17:00 in July. Arrive earlier or anchor in less-popular Vourliotis.
  • Fiscardo on Kefalonia for dinner is the Ionian must-do, but it gets crowded. Anchor in Foki Bay 1 nm south and tender in.
  • Loggos on Paxos has 7 restaurants. The best one (Vasilis) takes no reservations: walk over by 19:30 or eat at midnight.

Frequently asked

Questions we get about Sailing Yacht Charter Lefkada

How much does a Lefkada sailing yacht charter cost?

One price per yacht per week, crew included, from the Greek Charter Index 2026: crewed sailing catamarans from EUR 17,000 a week at 15 metres to EUR 90,000 at 24, and crewed sailing yachts of 24 to 31 metres at EUR 24,000 to 55,000 net base. Add APA of 20 to 30% and Greek VAT at the certified rate. June and September list 15 to 25% below peak.

Is the Ionian boring compared to the Cyclades?

Different, not boring. The Ionian is green, protected, family-friendly, with a slower pace. The Cyclades is dramatic, exposed, party-energy, photographic. Repeat charterers usually do Ionian first, Cyclades second.

What's the best 7-day Ionian itinerary from Lefkada?

Lefkada → Meganisi (Spilia) → Ithaca (Vathy) → Kefalonia (Fiscardo) → Kefalonia (Assos) → Paxos (Loggos) → Lefkada. Roughly 150 nm round trip on the house distance table, 10 to 50 nm a day, plenty of swim stops.

Can I charter without sailing experience?

Yes, crewed charters require zero sailing experience. The captain sails, the chef cooks, you participate as much or as little as you like. Bareboat charters require an ICC or equivalent license.

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